A new chapter of organisational progress and development opened last Saturday in Egypt. That was the day the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland and Global Convener of the Oodua Progressive Union, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, launched the Egypt chapter of the pan-Yoruba diaspora socio-cultural organisation, OPU.

It was a successful event as members gathered at Sanabil Hall in Egypt to witness the epoch-making inauguration.

OPU is a Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation with prominent Yoruba sons and daughters in the diaspora as members. The Diaspora organisation was established in 2011 to foster unity and enhance both social and economic progress of all members.

One of the major objectives of OPU as an organisation is to promote the interest of Yoruba race abroad. OPU’s intention is also to add value to the global community.The major focus is to raise the bar in service to humanity and bridging the gap by ensuring that those great objectives are met.

Interestingly, in the last one decade, OPU has succeeded in building strong networks of relationships, ideas, strengths, business initiatives and links in order to foster unity, peace and translate all these to progress and development of all Yoruba sons and daughters wherever they are in the world.

Since inception in 2011, OPU has made tremendous impact in ensuring that Yoruba culture and tradition remains the fulcrum of its identity. OPU is presently in 96 countries across the six continents of the world. The official inauguration of the Egypt chapter made it 97. And before the end of the year, its tentacles will still spread beyond this to make it a three-digit number.

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A new chapter of organisational progress and development opened last Saturday in Egypt. That was the day the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland and Global Convener of the Oodua Progressive Union, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, launched the Egypt chapter of the pan-Yoruba diaspora socio-cultural organisation, OPU.

Well, the journey of the success story of the diaspora organisation has not been a tea party. It was the idea of a man that is determined to make Yoruba race the leading race among all races. Aare Gani Adams’s intention to establish a diaspora organisation is to spread the gospel of unity and peace among all Yoruba sons and daughters abroad. It was a genuine intention that showcases the beauty of our race abroad.

OPU is a sister organisation to the Oodua Peoples Congress, but the members are majorly from the diaspora. On the other hand, OPC is a Nigeria-based organisation that has over seven million members across the 36 states of Nigeria, including Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

So, when the OPU Egypt chapter was inaugurated last Saturday, Aare Gani Adams became the focus as he spoke to the audience and guests that were present at the venue. The Yoruba generalissimo said the beauty of this organisation is for proper networking.

He said: “Today,I am happy to tell you that OPU is presently in 97 countries across the six continents of the world. Annually, all our members come to Nigeria to attend the OPU  World Congress. This is part of our programme towards fulfilling the lofty dreams of our global organisation. Over the years, we have strengthen our bond in all areas, making impact in humanitarian services, and empowerment programmes. 

“We have also injected our resources by building enduring legacy projects in all the South West states. The last Congress of the OPU was held in Badagry and it was a huge success. And by the special grace of God, the next edition of the OPU World Congress will hold in Osogbo in 2024. To the glory of God, two years ago, our noble organisation celebrated a decade of building a formidable pan-Yoruba diaspora organisation that had its branches across the world. It was a successful event that saw the dream of those years becoming a reality.

“For us as a Yoruba socio-cultural organization that is based abroad, the journey that started about 12 years ago is never an easy task. But I am happy that today, we have a good story to tell the world. As we launch the OPU in Egypt today, we intend to promote the cultural identity of Yoruba race with our members coming to explore the tourism potentials of Egypt. To spread the OPU’s tentacles across the world is an opportunity for us to promote our brand.

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“It is also something of note that we have OPU in America, United Kingdom, Europe and Africa. Our members are also in major African countries, including South Africa, Senegal and Gambia. And it is our intention to also expand the frontiers here in Egypt.

“Let me say it for posterity that OPU is not a religious organisation. It is a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation that is poised to promote the cultural identity of Yoruba race. In the same vein, it is our belief that the inauguration of OPU Egypt will be of great economic benefits to all members of the organisation. But, in driving the lofty ideas of our organisation, I will implore all our members here in Egypt to draw their inspirations from the success story I told you today about how OPU started in 2011. It was a dream that was nurtured, built and matured in due time.

“Interestingly, the success story of OPU is an idea that has endured different situations – the good, the bad and the ugly. But in all of these situations, we usually come out stronger and better, knowing fully well that every situation in the life of our noble organisation is a phase towards the development of a bigger and prosperous dream. So, as you begin the journey today, let me assure you that you have the blessing of the most high God to be the great ambassador of this organisation.”

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For his traducers, whether they agree with him or not, it doesn’t matter. What really matters most is that the Yoruba generalissimo and Global Convener of the OPU is fulfilling the destiny of the Yoruba race. And as the journey progresses, it is also very important to note that those of us that believe in his ideology to promote the cultural identity of Yoruba race, we know, without doubt, that the journey might be rough and tough, but in the end, it will be a journey of great discovery and success.

For all members of the Egypt chapter of the OPU, I commend your spirit and commitment. However, I urge you not to relent. Never drift. Be our ambassadors and remain committed to the progress of OPU and Yoruba race. With that, I have a strong conviction that we will continue to be the model and the shining light for other races in the world.

. Aderemi writes from Lagos.